Danitza Villanueva

Danitza Villanueva

Danitza Villanueva - Giving Back Publisher

Danitza Villanueva is a focused, self-motivated and dedicated businesswoman. Born in San Diego, Danitza spent part of her youth with her family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She hastransferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and communal interests.

Danitza is proud to be the first woman from her family to graduate from college. She has two degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications.

Danitza publishes two successful magazines including Giving Back Magazine, which focuses on charities, culture and arts for the San Diego and Tijuana region. Danitza and her staff reach out to the community by supporting and promoting fundraising events for local charities. Part of her focus with the magazine is to shatter the stereotypical image many have of Mexico. The second publication is a pet’s life magazine, which focuses on the lives of San Diego pets and philanthropic groups that make their lives better.

In 2008, Danitza and her magazines were invited by the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to attend the 26th Annual Border Governors Conference in Los Angeles for her positive impact in the community and the positive image of Hispanics in the region.

In 2010, Danitza was elected the youngest ever member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Opera. Through her leadership, the Opera performed the world’s first mariachi opera, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, to sold-out houses.

In 2011, she was chosen to participate in HOPE Leadership Institute, a select group of Latina leaders in the State of California. Under the HOPE Leadership Institute, Danitza traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with Congressmen and Senators to advocate for Hispanics. She now serves on the Board of Directors.

Danitza was chosen by Access to Independence in 2012, an organization that provides services to people with disabilities, as an Everyday Hero for her dedication in making a difference in the disabled community of San Diego.

Through her partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, she initiated and chaired the first outreach program for the Hispanic philanthropic community. This yearly event, first organized in 2013, has been extremely successful in 2014 and is already scheduled for 2015, where again Danitza will be the chair.

In 2014, Danitza joined the Board of Directors for HOPE, a statewide organization committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy and education to benefit all communities and the status of women. In 2015, she was elected to be the Secretary.

Danitza and her husband Esteban enjoy the region and all that it has to offer and can be often found hiking the regional parks with their pet dog or visiting many of the local museums.